Cyclists dare to be bare for annual World Naked Bike Ride

GEAR UP AND GEAR OFF. Snapdragon from Nimbin getting into gear for the Nude Bike Ride in Nimbin. Photo Patrick Gorbunovs / The Northern Star

Photo: Patrick Gorbunovs.

An eclectic crowd gathered in the town as the cyclists made two passes of the street before circling near the pub in front of amused, and often confused, drivers.

A busker cranked out the tunes on electric guitar as the footpaths filled with locals and tourists alike keen to get a glimpse of the action while some took the opportunity to collect donations for organisations opposed to CSG mining.

Co-organiser James Fuller, 54, said motorists often claim they don’t see riders on the road, so stripping down was an eye-catching way to get noticed.

“Drivers say they don’t see cyclists but that’s not much consolation when you’ve smashed into their windscreen and slid down the road on your head, as has happened to me in the city,” Mr Fullerton said.

“Well, we figure you’ve gotta’ be able to see us now.

“Another major part of this is we’re supporting sustainable transport to get away from fossil fuel usage.”

Mr Fuller said the ride showed nudity is totally natural and often separate from sexuality.

Mr Fuller’s fellow event co-organiser, known only as Mij, 52, said following the road death of a Byron Bay cyclist in February and other near misses in the region, the ride was focused on making the road safe for all users.

A Nimbin man known as Snapdragon, 49, had two simple reasons for attending the ride, apart from the fun factor.

“It’s for safety for bike riders and against CSG – We don’t want that s**t here,” he said.

Gold Coast man Stewman, 49, was “there to hang out with like-minded people” in his sixth year riding.

“I do really like the chilled-ness of the whole thing,” he said.

Bare As You Dare rides were also held at Byron, The Channon and internationally.